Social Anxiety Disorder.

Social anxiety disorder, also sometimes known as “social phobia”, is an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. People with social anxiety disorder may experience extreme anxiety and fear when interacting with others. They may feel like they are constantly being judged or scrutinised and that they are unable to “fit in” with other people. This fear can lead to a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms, including difficulty speaking or talking to others, feeling overwhelmed in social situations, difficulty making eye contact, and an inability to join in conversations.

According to data from Beyond Blue, it is estimated that around 9% of Australians aged 16-85 years (or around 2.5 million people) have experienced social anxiety in their lifetime. This is higher than the prevalence of other common mental health disorders such as depression and panic disorder. For those aged 16-25 years, the prevalence of social anxiety is even higher – around 11% in this group. Social anxiety can have a major impact on an individual’s daily life and can lead to significant distress and impairment, affecting their ability to hold down a job, maintain relationships, and even perform everyday tasks that involve the possibility of scrutiny or judgement from others. This can lead those with the condition towards feelings of isolation and depression.

Fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage social anxiety disorder. Social Anxiety Disorder is a mental illness that is treatable through a combination of talking therapy and medication. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common form of treatment for people with Social Anxiety Disorder, which involves identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviours that contribute to anxiety. Exposure therapy can also be used to help people face and eventually overcome their fear of social situations. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be prescribed by a doctor to reduce the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder. The goal of treatment is to help people with social anxiety disorder feel more comfortable in social situations, build relationships, and be increasingly confident interacting with others in their daily lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling with social anxiety disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. The sooner you get help, the better the outcome can be. A mental health professional can help you understand your condition and develop effective strategies for managing it. With the right support and treatment, you can manage your social anxiety disorder and live a healthy and fulfilling life.